The joint trade union front ABVV and ACV is organizing a general strike on March 31, 2025 in response to the measures in the coalition agreement of the new federal government.
ACOD UGent also calls on people to participate in this national strike action. More specifically, all employees are requested to stop work for 24 hours on Monday, March 31, 2025.
The measures in the federal coalition agreement affect us all
On February 10, 2025, the joint trade union front ACOD-ACV-VSOA organized a staff meeting at UGent to explain the measures in the federal coalition agreement that was concluded on Friday, January 31, 2025, and more specifically about the concrete negative consequences that these measures have, also for UGent staff members. The recording of the full presentation given at that time can still be found via this link (for UGent staff members, after login, Dutch only).
More information can also be found in our general ACOD members magazine Tribune of this month, on the specific website that our trade union umbrella organization ABVV has developed around the content of the federal coalition agreement, and in the positions, articles and press releases on the national ACOD website (all of these Dutch only).
The consequences of this coalition agreement for the pensions of both permanently appointed and contractual employees are striking. But that is certainly not the only thing:
- Sick employees – both permanent and contractual employees – are rushed to resume work as quickly as possible, and see their income threatened.
- Rules regarding notice, night work, part-time work, etc. are being changed to the disadvantage of employees.
- Anyone who involuntarily ends up unemployed and does not get back to work quickly enough will be driven into poverty.
- Quality public services are coming under further pressure.
- …
In addition, this new government is also attacking solidarity within our society, and is targeting, for example, those in our country seeking protection against war violence and inhumane treatment.
All this is unacceptable!
The general strike of March 31, 2025 is the next step in the resistance against the major social breakdown organized in the federal coalition agreement
On January 13 and February 13 of this year, two successful mass actions took place in Brussels against the announced measures of the new federal government. These actions also have an impact. For example, it was under pressure from the massively attended action of 13/1 that a limited number of adjustments were made to the original pension plans that had already been announced in the course of 2024.
The general strike on March 31 is the next step in the resistance to stop the plans of the new federal government.
ACOD UGent calls on everyone to participate en masse in this strike day and to actively join this resistance!
Practical
Strike compensation
Anyone participating in the general strike on Monday, March 31, 2025 will not go to work on this day. You are then legitimately absent. The employer will deduct the salary for that day from your monthly salary.
If you are affiliated with ACOD, you will receive a strike compensation for that day. To receive this strike compensation, you must provide us with your pay slip on which Ghent University will have stated the wage deduction due to strike. In practice, this will probably be the payslip of April 2025, on which the correction for the month of March will be stated.
As an ACOD member at Ghent University, you can email this payslip to ACOD@UGent.be
If you are affiliated with ACV or VSOA, it is best to contact your trade union to find out what the practical agreements are for you before March 31, 2025.
Visit the pickets and actions on the day itself
On Monday morning 31/3 we will organize an information picket at the rectorate. We hope to welcome you all there from 7am to around 11am! (breakfast pastries and hot drinks are provided)
In particular, we also call on you to come to the rectorate that day between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., from where we will then leave together around 11 a.m. to the concentration that ABVV and ACV are organizing at that time on Woodrow Wilsonplein.
In addition, pickets and actions are also taking place at other public institutions and companies, in Ghent and other cities. You can find them on this ABVV website (new pickets are added daily, so take a look regularly to get the latest information).
Can't you come to Ghent on Monday 31/3? Then we would like to call on you to join the pickets and actions in your region!